Author: Talk Business & Politics

Forty Under 40: Joey Nelson

Joey Nelson developed an affinity for art early in life. “I was really one of those creative kids who liked to take nothing and create something out of it,” he…

Forty Under 40: Michael Paladino

“I’ve got your back, and you’ve got mine.” That’s the attitude Michael Paladino tries to instill in the staff at RevUnit, a digital product development and marketing agency. “As a…

Forty Under 40: Erica Preston

Erica Preston has climbed the ladder for 18 years, and the ascension didn’t stop when she joined Chambers Bank in March. She was hired initially as senior vice president and…

Forty Under 40: Joshua D. Rankin

Joshua Rankin enjoys taking care of people through the years. “That’s why I went into primary care, so I could develop long-term relationships with my patients,” he said. “That really…

Forty Under 40: John R. Rausch

John Rausch grew up in Fort Smith doing the fun stuff of home building — framing and pouring concrete. He learned the trade from his grandfather, Buddy Coleman, who built…

Forty Under 40: Molly Collier Rawn

Molly Collier Rawn is tasked with the fundraising efforts of Bentonville’s newest attraction, working with some of the most prominent donors in Northwest Arkansas’ philanthropic community to help fund the…

Forty Under 40: Amanda Rogers

Amanda Rogers wanted to be in advertising so bad she took a job as a courier with Blackwood Martin/CJRW while she was a journalism student at the University of Arkansas….

Forty Under 40: Corey Runnells

Corey Runnells enjoys seeing his whole team succeed. That, in addition to providing for his family, is what drives him in his career. Runnells leads corporate operations at Specialized Real…

Forty Under 40: Jonathan Schisler

When Jonathan Schisler was a student at Shiloh Christian School, he took a course in HTML coding, and he was hooked. The Rogers native went on to earn both a…

Forty Under 40: Wes Shelton

Wes Shelton’s life is nothing if not purposeful, both personally and professionally. Born the son of a dentist in Batesville, Shelton spent much of his childhood helping at his father’s…

Forty Under 40: Gaven Smith

“Don’t be a coach,” Gaven Smith’s parents advised as he grew up in Rogers. “You’re too smart.” Smith’s mother was a first-grade teacher, his father a junior high coach. So,…

Forty Under 40: Avery Starks

A big man with a warm handshake who is determined to leave a strong legacy, Avery Starks is gaining awards and accolades as he ascends ladders in the retail world….

Forty Under 40: Stephanie Stephens

For Stephanie Stephens, success in her career has everything to do with being a role model for her daughter. “It’s been really important to me to show her that, as…

Forty Under 40: Jay Thornton

Jay Thornton has been around. Palm Beach. Miami. Grand Rapids, Michigan. But that was in the past. These days, he’s nice and comfortable at his office just off the Bentonville…

Forty Under 40: Billye Hawkins Veteto

Billye Hawkins Veteto is a people person. Luckily, she has a fitting opportunity with the Razorback Foundation, the nonprofit that has about 14,000 active donors and serves as the independent…

Forty Under 40: Richard Welcher

Richard Welcher is motivated by the process of meeting new clients, creating projects for them and watching those relationships grow into lasting partnerships. He knew since attending Russellville High School…

Forty Under 40: Warren Wheat

Warren Wheat started his own construction company less than three years ago, and his vision is firmly in place. “I plan to one day compete with the big guys,” said…

Forty Under 40: Eric A. Wood

Eric Wood has worked at the UA since 2009, and was promoted to his current role in 2011, tasked primarily with overseeing the Office of Student-Athlete Success, whose main responsibility…

The C Suite: Raymond Burns

Achievements: Served as president and CEO of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce since 1987; is one of 275 certified chamber executives; serves on the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce…

The C Suite: Matt Crafton

Achievements: Led engineering and surveying firm through the Great Recession; oversaw growth from a regional to a national firm with six offices in two states. What would most people be…